Taping Tstat Probe

What type of tape should I use to tape my probe down on my heat tape in my rack?

Duct tape should work


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Regular duct tape is best for short term use. It will stretch, melt, and decay over time. This occurs faster when heat is added.

The best tape is aluminum duct tape. It is super adhesive and is made for high heat. It can be used to secure the uth as well.

Don't cover the probe itself. Tape the wire down where it meets the probe. If you have to you can tape just the tip of the probe but you need to make sure most is left exposed.

can i tape directly on the heat tape?

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Originally Posted by monty_python9

can i tape directly on the heat tape?

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Yes. Just be careful when removing it, if ever needed.

I said duct tape because I know Herpstat instructions recommend against using aluminum tape to adhere the probe. They say it interferes with the reading. They've recommended duct tape to me.


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Originally Posted by BPGator

I said duct tape because I know Herpstat instructions recommend against using aluminum tape to adhere the probe. They say it interferes with the reading. They've recommended duct tape to me.


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That is why you don't want to cover the probe. Taping the wire and tip alone is not an issue.


However, PitontheProwl tapes the probe and has not had any issues. Even with that Im not going to chance it and have taped my probes as I described above.

I understood it that the aluminum tape can affect the electrical signal the probe sends to the unit. Otherwise, what's the difference between covering the probe with aluminum tape vs duct tape.


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Originally Posted by BPGator

I understood it that the aluminum tape can affect the electrical signal the probe sends to the unit. Otherwise, what's the difference between covering the probe with aluminum tape vs duct tape.


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Not much but I wouldn't cover my probe with regular duct tape either. I wouldn't cover it with any tape. No matter what I used I would tape it as I described earlier.

I have come to this by having other methods like duct tape and hot glue fail. I have not had aluminum tape fail for anything I have used it for to date.

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Originally Posted by BPGator

I understood it that the aluminum tape can affect the electrical signal the probe sends to the unit. Otherwise, what's the difference between covering the probe with aluminum tape vs duct tape.


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That's the first I'm hearing of this. I always tape the probe, with a small piece in the middle and I've never had any issues. Aluminum Duct Tape is meant to withstand heat and sticks better than regular Duct Tape, that and regular duct tape leaves residue. I mean people can do it whatever way they want, but I would never recommend using anything other than the aluminum duct tape.

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Originally Posted by Neal

That's the first I'm hearing of this. I always tape the probe, with a small piece in the middle and I've never had any issues. Aluminum Duct Tape is meant to withstand heat and sticks better than regular Duct Tape, that and regular duct tape leaves residue. I mean people can do it whatever way they want, but I would never recommend using anything other than the aluminum duct tape.

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I'm just going on what's in the Herpstat manual and what they recommended on using instead.


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Originally Posted by BPGator

I'm just going on what's in the Herpstat manual and what they recommended on using instead.


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Oh no, I wasn't questioning that. It was the other post about the signal thing, did Herpstat say that in the instructions?

They may quite possibly recommend the other tape because some people may go overboard with taping, no idea. I've never read the manual tbh as I've had herpstats and vivarium electronics.

Not sure about that signal theory. i have always used aluminum duct tape to fix all my uth and stats in place.

I tape over the probe with aluminum tape with no issues. Seems pretty spot on so far..

I have mine pinched between the heat tape and the rack wall on the side of middle shelf .100% of the probe is touching the heat tape and I use aluminum tape to tape wire to hold in position..

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I use electrical tape and had no problems doing so.

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Originally Posted by highqualityballz

I use electrical tape and had no problems doing so.

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Over time electrical will become brittle and hard. It will end up loosing its adhesiveness.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Over time electrical will become brittle and hard. It will end up loosing its adhesiveness.

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So foil tape is best?

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Originally Posted by highqualityballz

So foil tape is best?

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I believe so.

The foil tape is not affected by heat like many other tapes. It does not melt, stretch, or become brittle. It also is designed to work in high heat climates and does not loose its sticking power over time like many tape do in heated applications.

So I emailed Spyderrobotics and this was Dion's response regarding using aluminum tape to attach the probe:

"The issue is mainly putting it over the probe tip/end. The aluminum acts
like a heatsink letting the air temperature cool the probe so it will read
cooler than the heat tape is.

Also putting metal tape on the heat tape can be a hazard in itself.
Occasionally when heat tape fails it starts melting through the plastic.
Metal tape then becomes a shock hazard or could potentially cause a short
circuit depending on how its installed."


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I use Gorilla tape. It claims the maximum hold temperature is 200 degrees F.

I actually fold up a small piece of paper towel and cover the probe then tape it in place. Seems like it would be better at getting a more direct reading.

I'm presuming all this tape is used OUTSIDE the vivs/ tubs ?

I use foil tape, but about 1/2 an inch from the sensor itself. I also run a secondary thermometer probe about 1 inch from the thermostat probe for the sake of comparing temps, as well as an infra red temp gun that's used to randomly take temps.


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